I have slowed down with my crochet projects the last several years as I have delved into quilting. But there will always be a special place in my hobby heart for crochet. I’ve had numerous requests over the years to provide patterns for my Afghan designs. That’s always been somewhat difficult as I tend to create as I move along in the afghan (rather like free motion quilting).

The Sampler Quilt to Crochet pattern is now available. I wrestled with the idea of charging for this pattern and finally decided against it. I crochet because I love to, not because I want to make a living with it. I designed this pattern on a lark. I wanted to make a quilt with a matching afghan. The first time around I used a regular afghan hook rather than the flexible hook and created 4 block panels with 5 blocks in each panel, which I then sewed together. Either way looks great from the front. But I like the result of the cleaner back side when crocheting as one piece rather than the panels. It’s really a matter of personal choice. I will say it goes much faster when you choose to do panels.read more

I made a sample of the popcorn pinwheel used in Fran Johnson's popcorn pinwheel bedspread using #10 crochet thread with a #7 needle and fell in love with it. But I knew I would never finish the project given the number of pinwheels that would be required. Furthermore, I had no one I knew who would want it when it was finished. But I couldn't let it die.

After seeing Frances Johnson’s creation,I must admit I was enamored when I saw the original YouTube video of Frances Johnson. After seeing the video, my quest began to hunt down the pattern. It wasn’t as easy as it should be but here are the results.

October 9, 2011Comments Off on 31 Vintage Bedspread Patterns to Crochet

Ever since I watched the Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread video, I’ve been wanting that pattern. This morning while searching for something else on Amazon I ran across a kindle version of 31 Vintage Bedspread Patterns to Crochet. To be honest, if they’d had a print version, I’d have ordered that instead. But they don’t so I thought what the heck…on my kindle it went. I actually think there might be an advantage to using the kindle…no pages to wear out and that battery certainly lasts (I have the old black and white kindle…ha). The instructions are easy to read, pictures, well they are black and white and not the best. read more

Sharon’s Rose is actually a knitted pattern in Leisure Arts’ Afghan Book 2. I used the Tunisian knit stitch suing the chart provided for the middle section and then made differently styled side panels to complete the afghan. It turned out very nice although a very heavy weight winter-only type afghan. I do wish I’d just created three of the middle panel and joined them together.

Indian Designs is actually a knit pattern in Leisure Arts’ Afghan Book 2. Using the included graph, I adapted it to Tunisian crochet and used the basic afghan stitch. The gauge is not quite the same but I was still happy with the result. Unfortunately, Afghan Book 2 is out of print. I managed to purchase another copy to replace my worn out first edition via Amazon’s third-party vendors.

Variegated in Vogue has some really nice patterns featuring the use of variegated yarn. My favorite, by far, is Pleasing. It uses the interesting technique of crocheting the length of the afghan leaving an 8-inch strand at each end to work into the fringe. Instead of using variegated yarn, I chose from Red Heart’s fleck series and then incorporated the blue fleck as my solid color (close up below).

Over the years, I have made every single afghan in this wonderful leaflet. Unfortunately, Fisherman Crochet Afghans is no longer in print. However, Cork is available via digital download from Leisure Arts: Galway& Cork Afghans Crochet Patterns for $5.99.

I bought Afghan Book 2 (Leisure Arts 2) when it was first published and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, it’s been out of print for quite a few years. However, by popular request, Leisure Arts offers several of the afghans for digital download. Bordered Diamonds is a pattern I’ve made at least a dozen times over the years. I’ve even made several downsized baby afghan versions of it.

The pattern is a series of panels that are slip stitched together. It’s a fun afghan to make as there is such a variety of stitches involved. Below is a picture of the last time I made it. The colors were chosen to match the quilt in my sister-in-law had made for her bedroom.read more

When I did a review of Quilts to Crochet almost 3 years ago, this pamphlet was no longer being printed. Lo and behold Leisure Arts is now doing so. I found it both Amazon and Leisure Arts for $7.95. I have adapted two of my Tunisian afghans from the Pinwheel pattern on the front cover. The first one I made I used the traditional basic afghan stitch. With the second one, I used the knit stitch.

Here they are:

Afghan Stitch VersionKnit Stitch Version

I used a flexible afghan hook and cast on 152 (19 times 8 ) stitches. Then just follow the chart for changing colors. You’ll need quite a few yarn bobbins. If you don’t mind lots of weaving on the back, it’s really a great looking afghan. I finished off the ends with fringe as Tunisian crochet, particularly the knit stitch, tends to curl. The fringe resolves that problem nicely.read more

I stumbled across this YouTube video this morning and just had to share. I’m in awe! You can purchase a print version of this pattern at Amazon here: Vintage Crochet Pattern . It would probably take me 67 years to finish too.

This afghan will be a remake of my quilt sampler afghan. However, this time I will be crocheting the entire afghan in one piece versus the panels I did the first time around. I just was not happy with the back of the first afghan when it was sewn together. It’s a bit more challenging this way but not as confusing as I thought it would be following 4 charts at the same time. I’m putting together a pdf pattern for the afghan which I will share with you once the afghan is complete. The instructions are more or less finished. However, the yarn required and finished size are an unknown the moment. Like the first afghan, it will be 5 rows of 4 sampler squares. Here are the first four sampler squares…read more

I’m still plugging away and thought I’d generate an image so you can see what’s been accomplished so far. I’ve finished the top border and am now working on the bottom. It’s a slow process at this point because of the arthritis in my hands and the weight of the afghan on the flexible hook. The final round will be in dark blue to mirror the binding I’ll be putting on the quilt. I’m still leaning towards fringe for the top and bottom ends of the afghan.

Panel 4 is completed and the right sashing strip has been added. In addition to the sashing pattern I used between the other panels, I’ve added a 10-stitch cream border. I will duplicate this process in reverse for the left side. I’m sweating it out at the moment as I’m getting rather low on my light blue and the dye lot is an old one. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Once the left side is done, I’ll be using a 22-inch flexible afghan hook to complete the sashing strip and cream border on the top and border. The final round will be the dark blue in either single, double, or half-double crochet to mirror the binding I’ll be using on the quilt. I may also add dark blue fringe on the top and bottom but am still undecided at this point. More illustrations will be coming as I progress.read more

I’ve had several requests for pattern information related to the quilt afghan featured in my afghan video. Leisure Arts Quilts to Crochet leaflet #3542 served as my inspiration. All the patterns in this leaflet are done using the half double crochet stitch but can easily be converted to the tunisian crochet stitch, which I did with my afghan. Other common quilt patterns featured in the leaflet include Log Cabin, Double Irish Chain, and Flocks of Geese.

Unfortunately Leisure Arts no longer prints this little gem. But I found it available through Amazon’s third-party sellers. You might also check out eBay.read more

February 27, 2009Comments Off on Weaving Color change ends on the back

As you may have noticed, I enjoy designing afghans that incorporate color changes in Tunisian crochet. The downs side is the extensive weaving required on the back side to hide the ends. Here’s what I do…

Here is the back side of the Basket block I just completed. As you can see, lots of ends to incorporate. This is not one of my favorite aspects of crocheting but I’ve developed a couple of techniques. One is to weave the ends after I finish each block and before I start the next. I find doing it as I go along much more enjoyable. The other is to make sure my ends are at least double the length of my needle. It is so much easier to weave the ends if I can freely turn my needle.read more

I’m still plugging away at my Quilt to Crochet Afghan. It’s a slow process since I’m doing the matching quilt at the same time. Quilt in the morning…crochet at night. I’ve started the third panel for both with the Kansas Star block…

I’ve finished attaching the sashing strip to Panel 1. Sunny, of course, had to inspect my work…you’ll see him frequently. It’s actually quite amazing he’s taken this long to show up in this project. I swear he has a camera radar attached to his body.

So far, I’ve got two mistakes I’ve had to get creative with:

The first is the fourth square is only 32 rows high (the Old Maid’s Puzzle). I corrected this mistake by making the sashing strip 32 rows high at the same point. I decided to do this rather than trying to ease 4 rows into that section when sewing the panels together as I think it would definitely be noticeable.read more

I finished weaving the yarn ends on the first panel. ..Now I’m ready to attach the sashing strip. The strip is 10 stitches wide. Each medium blue sesction is 36 rows tall to match the cream squares of the first panel. The dark blue sections are 10 rows tall to match the blue sashing crocheted in the first panel. Nothing much to look at right now but it does go together quickly.

To attach I will place the right sides of the first panel and the stashing together. Then I will slip stitch crochet through the end stitches of both. I will be using the medium blue yarn for the slip stitch crochet row as it is the common color in both panels.read more

The first panel is done! One of the unfortunate side effects of constant color changes is the need to weave the yarn ends into the back of the panel…which I will be doing this weekend. A good movie or audio book helps pass the time. You’ll notice that I have not crocheted a top and bottom sash into the panel. Those final sashes will be done once all of the panels have been joined and will span across the entire afghan. There will be sash panels between each of the sampler panels. To give you an idea how it will look, I’ve already added it to the coordinating quilt.read more